Thunderbirds take ugly win

By ADAM SOBOLESKI

But when it comes to a North Branford-Valley Regional boys soccer game, what more can you expect.

- Play was physical.

- There were three injuries.

- There were five yellow cards.

- There were two red cards.

And the score wasn't pretty for Valley -- a 4-0 loss in the Shoreline Conference showdown.

North Branford is 6-1 (5-1 SLC) and takes over first place in the West Division, while Valley moves to second at 4-1-2 (4-1-1).

And for Valley, North Branford's first four shots on goal went in the net.

"I'm very disappointed inside," Valley coach Matt Mulvihill said. "I want to make a positive out of a negative. It's only our first loss. But it was our worst loss in several years."

North Branford's first goal was ugly as well.

With the T-Birds moving the ball down the middle into Valley territory, North Branford's Jerry Malagone hit a lob pass to the goal area. Warrior goalie Matt Mesite misplayed the pass as the ball bounced over his head. Matt Parese cleaned up with a header in an open net at 35:34 for a 1-0 lead.

"I wasn't happy with the keeper's position today," Mulvihill said. "The first goal could have been stopped. But Matt's been there all year. He's liable to have a bad game."

Ten seconds after the goal, North Branford's Todd Gagliardi was given his second yellow card, equaling a red and sat the rest of the game. His first yellow came at 18:34. A red card also means a player has to sit the next game as well.

But the red didn't phase the Thunderbirds. They built a 2-0 lead on Steve Winnicki's shot past Mesite from the right side at 9:30 of the second half.

"It's a good win. It feels good," said North Branford coach Rick Geremia, who received a yellow card in the first half. "This is the biggest rivalry for both schools. (Valley) beat us 3-2 on our field (Sept. 19). Last year, we each won on each other's field. It seems the teams play better on the other team's field."

Not only North Branford's offense was making the most of its opportunities, but its defense was stellar as well, limiting the Warriors to four shots for the game.

Neither team had a shot at goal, until Valley managed a slow dribbler on Steve Dumark with 23:20 left in the half.

"Our intensity wasn't there," Mulvihill said. "It's hard to get up for each game. A couple of calls could have went our way. But I take my hat off to North Branford. If we see them in Shoreline's, it will be a good game."

The T-Birds last two insurance goals came from Evan Johnson. His first was on a penalty kick at 31:00. His second was on a shot low left at 32:58.

Thirty seconds after the final goal, Valley's Spencer Ellis received his second yellow, meaning a red.

Now both teams look to the rest of the SLC portion of the schedule.

North Branford starts with defending Class S champion Wheeler of North Stonington Thursday at home.

"This week and next week will determine seeds for the Shoreline playoffs," Geremia said.

Meanwhile, Valley plays Hale-Ray of East Haddam.

"We have to get back on track," Mulvihill said. "We're also looking forward to play North Branford again."